A big fan of the game of baseball itself, who just happens to have no favorite team.

Johan Santana Throws First No-Hitter In Mets’ History

Through 8,019 games no player in the history of the New York Mets’ had been able to accomplish the feat of throwing a no-hitter. Tom Seaver came the closest, taking a no-hitter into the 9th three times in his career, but was unsuccessful in closing it out.

Although Johan Santana has been pitching fairly well so far in 2012, there was no reason to believe that he had a shot at doing something that guys like Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden, to name a few, could never do.

Coming off of shoulder surgery, many believed that he would never have a shot of being an effective pitcher in the majors again. To the surprise of baseball fans everywhere, Johan Santana was able to go all the way, and throw the no-hitter.

Just like every no-hitter in MLB history, this one didn’t come without a controversial call. In the top of the 6th inning, Carlos Beltran pulled the ball down the line. The ball was called foul by the third base umpire, but after seeing the replay it was obvious that it hit the chalk line, and thus was a fair ball. A missed call, but it’s not like that one hit that was called foul cost the Cards the game.

Something interesting to mention is that on the night in which the first no-hitter in Mets’ history was thrown, there were a total of 8 Mets hits, 8 Mets runs as well as 8 strikeouts by Johan Santana. As I’m sure you’re aware, the late Gary Carter wore number 8 in his years with the Mets. Coincidence? More than likely. But it’s something fun to ponder.

Johan Santana threw a career high number of pitches, and you have to questions whether or not those extra pitches will hurt his arm in the long run, but there was no way he was going to come out last night.

As MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds put it, “I don’t care if it takes 170 pitches…..Getting that no-hitter is all that matters.” I couldn’t agree more.

Last night’s performance by Santana makes the San Diego Padres the only remaining franchise to not have a no-hitter to it’s name. The way things have panned out so far in 2012, I wouldn’t put it past them to have a pitcher throw one before the season is over.

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